Bruce Springsteen gets his own holiday in NJ; misses event after contracting COVID-19

From “Glory Days” to a holiday -- Bruce Springsteen is getting his own special day in his native state.

Springsteen, 73, was born Sept. 23, 1949, in Long Branch. His birthday will be celebrated as “Bruce Springsteen Day” across New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a proclamation.

Murphy announced the holiday at the inaugural American Music Honors event, presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music on Saturday at Monmouth University, the Asbury Park Press reported.

But Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, were unable to attend the event because both had been diagnosed with COVID-19, Variety reported.

Bruce Springsteen is one of the most iconic and influential musicians – and New Jerseyans – of all time, period.

And so, I am both honored and proud to announce @springsteen's birthday, Sept. 23, will officially be known as Bruce Springsteen Day in the Garden State. pic.twitter.com/Ux5B54jdlB
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 16, 2023

Bob Santelli, the Archives’ executive director, made the announcement hours after Springsteen ended the first leg of his 2023 tour with the E Street Band in Newark, according to the entertainment news outlet. It was Springsteen’s first concert in his home state in seven years.

The next part of the band’s tour begins on April 28 in Barcelona, Spain.

“There’s been 14 administrations in New Jersey since Springsteen started performing,” Murphy told the Press. “I can’t believe it’s taken this long.”

“Bruce Springsteen will forever be remembered as the voice of the Garden State, signaling to the world that New Jerseyans were born to run,” the proclamation states.

“I know my place in the hierarchy of New Jersey,” Murphy said at Saturday’s ceremony. “After all, I may be the 56th individual to be called ‘governor,’ but there will ever only be just one ‘Boss.’”

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